A Primer on Communication Studies

v. 1.0
If you would like to use this book offline, you may download a copy of the full book as a PDF (291 MB, suitable for printing or most e-readers), or a .zip file containing these HTML files (for use in a web browser offline). Individual chapter PDFs are available below.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Introduction to Communication Studies (download PDF:21 MB)

• Communication: History and Forms
• The Communication Process
• Communication Principles
• Communication Competence

Chapter 2: Communication and Perception (download PDF: 24 MB)

• Perception Process
• Perceiving Others
• Perceiving and Presenting Self
• Improving Perception

Chapter 3: Verbal Communication (download PDF: 22 MB)

• Language and Meaning
• Functions of Language
• Using Words Well
• Language, Society, and Culture

Chapter 4: Nonverbal Communication (download PDF: 14 MB)

• Principles and Functions of Nonverbal Communication
• Types of Nonverbal Communication
• Nonverbal Communication Competence
• Nonverbal Communication in Context

Chapter 5: Listening (download PDF: 12 MB)

• Understanding How and Why We Listen
• Barriers to Effective Listening
• Improving Listening Competence
• Listenable Messages and Effective Feedback

Chapter 6: Interpersonal Communication Processes (download PDF: 8 MB)

• Principles of Interpersonal Communication
• Conflict and Interpersonal Communication
• Emotions and Interpersonal Communication
• Self-Disclosure and Interpersonal Communication

Chapter 7: Communication in Relationships (download PDF: 16 MB)

• Foundations of Relationships
• Communication and Friends
• Communication and Families
• Romantic Relationships
• Relationships at Work
• The Dark Side of Relationships

Chapter 8: Culture and Communication (download PDF: 16 MB)

• Foundations of Culture and Identity
• Exploring Specific Cultural Identities
• Intercultural Communication
• Intercultural Communication Competence

Chapter 9: Preparing a Speech (download PDF: 36 MB)

• Selecting and Narrowing a Topic
• Researching and Supporting Your Speech
• Organizing
• Outlining

Chapter 10: Delivering a Speech (download PDF: 19 MB)

• Managing Public Speaking Anxiety
• Delivery Methods and Practice Sessions
• Vocal Delivery
• Physical Delivery

Chapter 11: Informative and Persuasive Speaking (download PDF:17 MB)

• Informative Speeches
• Persuasive Speaking
• Persuasive Reasoning and Fallacies
• Persuasive Strategies

Chapter 12: Public Speaking in Various Contexts (download PDF:26 MB)

• Speaking in Personal and Civic Contexts
• Speaking in Academic Settings
• Speaking in Business Settings
• Speaking via Electronic Media

Chapter 13: Small Group Communication (download PDF: 11 MB)

• Understanding Small Groups
• Small Group Development
• Small Group Dynamics

Chapter 14: Leadership, Roles, and Problem Solving in Groups(download PDF: 19 MB)

• Leadership and Small Group Communication
• Group Member Roles
• Problem Solving and Decision Making in Groups

Chapter 15: Media, Technology, and Communication (download PDF: 22 MB)

• Technological Advances: From the Printing Press to the iPhone
• Functions and Theories of Mass Communication
• Mass Communication and Ethics

Chapter 16: New Media and Communication (download PDF: 9 MB)

• New Media Technologies
• New Media and Society
• New Media, the Self, and Relationships